Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in National Harbor Accepting New Patients Near Washington DC, Arlington, Fort Washington, Maryland & Virginia
Having overly large breasts isn't always ideal. Often, it can lead to a variety of physical and psychological issues. Large breasts can make it difficult to find clothes that fit properly and result in unwanted attention from others, causing self-esteem issues.
What Issues Can A Breast Reduction Help Correct?
However, the physical complications associated with large breasts are often more problematic. Many women find that large breasts result in:
- Debilitating back, neck and shoulder pain
- Painful grooves on the shoulders from bra straps
- Rashes, irritation and skin inflammation from breasts rubbing on the chest or abdomen
- Poor posture
- Headaches due to neck strain
- Respiratory problems
- Difficulty engaging in active, athletic activities
Breast reduction is an effective way to alleviate these issues and restore an attractive breast appearance that is more proportional with your body.
You can learn about your options and receive individualized treatment recommendations by speaking with Dr. Chiaramonte in person. Please call 301-567-6767 today to schedule your breast reduction consultation. We serve patients in Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia.
Benefits of A Breast Reduction
For many women, the physical, aesthetic and psychological benefits of breast reduction can be truly life-changing:
- Reduction in chronic back, neck or shoulder pain
- Improved ability to engage in athletic activities
- Overall improvement in physical comfort
- Improved breast appearance and more proportionate body contour
- Clothing fits better, providing a more attractive overall appearance
- Improved self-esteem
- More positive body image
Candidates for Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction may be an ideal solution for you if you experience one or more of the physical and emotional issues discussed above. You should also be in good overall health and have realistic expectations for the outcome of your procedure. If you smoke, you must be willing to quit prior to surgery and throughout the recovery period since smoking can adversely impact healing and results.
If you're planning on having children, you should discuss this with Dr. Chiaramonte during your consultation. While future pregnancies will not prevent you from undergoing breast reduction, the changes to your breasts caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding can potentially impact your results. Depending on the extent of the physical issues you're experiencing and how soon you plan on having children, Dr. Chiaramonte may recommend waiting in order to avoid the need for a revision procedure after you've completed this phase of your life.
Your Breast Reduction Procedure
Breast reduction is generally performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. The procedure takes about 2-3 hours to complete:
- While Dr. Chiaramonte uses a variety of techniques, he prefers to use an anchor-shaped incision that circles the areola and extends vertically downward along the natural crease underneath the breast
- During your breast reduction procedure, Dr. Chiaramonte will remove excess glandular tissue, fat and skin
- The nipple and areola will be relocated to a new location in order to provide the most natural looking appearance
- Skin from either side of the breast is then gently stretched down and around the areola, forming the breast's new contour
Liposuction may be used to eliminate extra areas of fat located in the armpit region. In some instances, Dr. Chiaramonte may also recommend a breast lift in conjunction with breast reduction to restore a perkier, more youthful breast appearance.
Recovery after Breast Reduction Surgery
After your procedure, your breasts will be wrapped in gauze dressing and covered with either a stretchy bandage or a surgical bra. A small drain may be inserted at each surgical site to help blood and fluid escape.
You can expect the following time table during your recovery:
- Your gauze bandages will be removed 1-2 days after surgery, but you must continue wearing the surgical bra until irritation and discoloration fade
- Sutures will be removed 1-3 weeks after surgery
- You may experience mild discomfort during the first few days after surgery
- In general, most women can return to work in about 2 weeks
- It's best to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for 3-4 weeks
- Make sure you wear a surgical or sports bra all day and night for 8 weeks after surgery
Breast Reduction Cost
The average cost of a breast reduction at Bella Cosmetic Surgery is between $8,000 and $10,500. Keep in mind that your fees could fall above or below this range. During your consultation, Dr. Chiaramonte will give you a more concrete estimate based on your unique needs and goals.
In some instances, breast reduction may be covered by insurance. Whether your procedure will be covered depends on a variety of factors including the reasons for surgery and your insurance carrier. In general, the procedure must be deemed medically necessary due to excessive pain in order to be covered by insurance. During your pre-operative visits, our team will help you submit all necessary paperwork to your insurance in order to see if your procedure will be covered.
FAQ
Do You Have To Lose Weight Before Breast Surgery?
In most breast reduction cases, patients do not need to lose weight prior to surgery. However, if someone is considered morbidly obese or has a high BMI, weight loss prior to breast reduction may be recommended. Losing weight prior to a breast reduction lowers the risks of surgical and anesthetic-related complications. It also allows your surgeon to remove less breast tissue, making recovery easier.
What Size Do My Breasts Need To Be To Qualify for a Reduction?
The actual cup size will vary depending on the patient. Some patients, espeically ones with small frames, may only have a C cup. However, their breasts may be extremely heavy and appear to large for their body. Overly large breasts can cause ongoing back pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain. In other cases, patients may have a DD or larger cup size, necessitating the need for a reduction.
How Many Cup Sizes Get Reduced in a Breast Reduction?
The number of cup sizes reduced will depend on what the patient wants and how much breast tissue can be safely removed. In many cases, the cup size from can be reduced two to three sizes. During consultation, your surgeon will examine your breasts and discuss how much breast tissue can be removed to help you achieve your desired result.
Testimonial
"I have always been self-conscious about the size of my breasts. Even as a teenager, I would get stared at and have comments made about my breast size. Over time, I did my best to hide the size of my breasts under baggy shirts and large blouses. However, this didn’t change the fact that I was unhappy with my appearance. As I got older, I finally decided to do something about it and decided to have a breast reduction. I couldn’t be happier with the results. I feel like myself again, and really wish I wouldn’t have waited so long. I want to thank the entire staff at Bells Cosmetic Surgery for making me feel comfortable every step of the way. I highly recommend Bella Cosmetic Surgery to anyone who is looking to reduce the size of their breasts!"
Contact Our Maryland Plastic Surgeon
If you're interested in breast reduction, please contact Bella Cosmetic Surgery using the form on this page or call 301-567-6767 today to schedule a consultation. We serve patients in Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia.